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Seems businesses are getting quite savvy when it comes to ways to use their Facebook Timeline features. I just read an interesting article on Social Media Examiner that discussed five of these ways and gave some great tips, including adding interesting milestones and how to use your “About” section, plus three more ways!

It’s a quick read and may give you some ideas on…

Pinterest has been named the best new start-up in 2011 and is driving more referral traffic than LinkedIn, YouTube and Google+.  It reportedly has 11.7 million unique users, making it the fastest site in history to break through the 10 million unique visitor mark!

So, what is this Pinterest? Well, it’s a social media platform focusing on the lifestyles of its members and encouraging  them to create different virtual pinboards that…

I’ve been doing some research for a client of mine on how to get votes using social media for a contest she is entering in March. We all have seen those contests – it’s a growing trend. Companies will use contests to get contestants to do the company’s word of mouth marketing for them. It’s actually quite brilliant – getting others to get their friends, family and anyone else to visit the company’s website in a short period of time.

It seems the best way to go about getting votes is…

Lost pets must know the Kelly’s are a family of animal lovers. Since we moved to Danville last year, we have had five lost dogs find their way to our house. We have been extremely lucky and have found their homes within the first 24 hours. This past week, we found a sweet Australian Shepherd with no tags and no microchip. After the first couple days of calling shelters, putting up flyers, placing ads on Craigslist, and putting status updates on Facebook, no one claimed her. I actually…

In this digital world we live in today, many of us are spending quite a bit of time on the internet, be it research, marketing, or just hanging out on social media catching up on what’s going on with our high school friends. Many times while I am discussing using social media as part of a company’s marketing, the business owner will express concern – afraid social media is a waste of valuable time and does it really work to help get sales.

Since Relevate focuses more on the database…

My daughter is a drama queen – no, really, she is an actress in the making. This past summer, she participated in the Hendricks County Civic Theater weeklong camp, and she came away with the Shining Star award for her age group. Told you she is our drama queen.

One of the songs they sang and danced to, and our household still sings and dances to it, is “Let Your Freak Flag Fly,” and it’s about being yourself – your true self. Never take it down and raise it way up high! Remember, it’s…

You have just used LinkedIn to update your professional profile and had a profile for your company, but for your status updates on your business you went to Facebook and Twitter. Well that has now changed.

Now those who are admins of company profiles on LinkedIn can post real status updates and include…

Just read a great newsletter article by Tim Roberts of Trustpointe called Everyone’s Good on a One Hour Date. Now Tim was talking about traditional salespeople and how they are good at generating interest, but have a difficult time achieving that trusted advisor status – and how it usually falls back to the lack of having a well-defined hiring process. Many people wing it when it comes to hiring.

Tim’s article made me stop…

At F8 this week Facebook rolled out a bunch of new changes to the way you view information from your network. See our blog for the run down on the top 11 changes that happened on Wednesday September 21st (click here for yesterdays blog)

I know everyone…

Did you wake up Wednesday morning to find a new Facebook?  Many were looking at their home feed this morning as most of us do without a cup of coffee or anything.   Did you shudder, did you gasp, did you freak out?  I pictured Jon Stewart screaming NOOOOOOO as he looks up at a camera on the ceiling of the studio!  LOL   Most of you felt like this image describes. …

Have you heard of the new rule in marketing? It’s the “70-20-10” rule, and it is what the social media world says we need to do to really make social media work for you and your business.

It’s a very quick and easy explanation.

Seventy percent of what you are sharing is helpful, pertinent referrals. It’s that great blog you read that just hit home to you; it’s that product you bought that you just cannot live without; it’s a raving review about a business that just showed you…

No one is forcing you to go on Facebook or Twitter. Yes, your customers are most likely on there, and it is one of the easiest ways to forge relationships with them, but if you are not willing to be social or get personal, then don’t bother.

I know it sounds harsh, but I recently did a presentation for a networking group, and a small but vocal part of the audience was in disagreement with me when I talked about letting others see the more personal side of you when it comes to social…

I wanted to give you a heads-up on this new referral site called Referral Key. I am new to it and have just joined but it shows promise and you always learn something new so here it is.

…

I was one of five members of Assistance League^®  of Indianapolis that attended the "Seeds for Growth "community resource workshop designed for non-profit organizations sponsored by Huntington Bank at Lucas Oil Stadium Quarterback Club on August 2nd.  Wow!!  What an excellent presentation.  I have been to so many of these types of workshops that by the end they do not hold my interest and I feel "Why am I here?" but this was very well done.  Everyone that spoke to the crowd was…

As I have said before, patience is not something I have an abundance for, so when it comes to keeping up with the Jones when it comes to social media, it’s really not my cup of tea. It’s a bit embarrassing to admit this as I have somehow established a reputation for being the go-to person when it comes to social media and marketing. Now, let’s be clear, though, I am pretty smart and I do catch on quickly – and one of my keys to success is not reinventing the wheel.

There are so many…

Recently, I went back home for my 25^th year high school reunion. I have to tell you, I was mighty excited to see how our involvement on Facebook since the last reunion would change the dynamics. I mean, more than one of the most popular girls in our class are friends with other girls they probably never even talked to while we were in high school. Not only are they connected on Facebook, they are actually commenting on each other’s updates and sending prayers and well wishes when…

I was doing research for my Basics of Blogging webinar, and I ran across some pretty interesting stuff. One such thing was Showing TLC to other bloggers – TLC standing for tweet, like and comment. What a great analogy from Janine Ripper – don’t think she coined it, but it’s the first place I saw it, and I love it!  

Even…